TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: UPDATE - LIBRAY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
MEETING DATE: September 9, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider for approval staff’s recommendation of current update to the Library’s Collection Development Policy to align with the state legal requirements and language provided by the California State Library.
ANALYSIS/BACKGROUND:
On September 28, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Freedom to Read Act (AB1825) into law. The bill requires every public library jurisdiction that directly receives any state funding to establish, adopt and maintain a written and publicly accessible collection development policy for its library by January 1, 2026. The new law helps libraries ensure their collection is reflective of the community’s diversity.
The California State Library provided statement to include in all California Libraries as part of the “California Freedom to Read Act”
The following statements are now included in the City of Commerce Public Library Collection Development Policy:
1. The collection meets the broad and diverse interest of the community and respects both the library’s autonomy and their specific community needs.
2. The public library serves as a center for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas.
3. Library materials should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people, and should present diverse points of views in the collection as a whole.
4. The right of the public to receive access to a range of social, political, aesthetic, moral, and other ideas and experiences is acknowledged.
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
On, June 18, 2025 Library Director submitted the update to the State Library Programs Consultant to be reviewed before presented to City Council. The consultant reviewed the policy and agreed with the edits provided.
On July 14, 2025, both the Library Commission and Education Commission reviewed the updated Collection Development Policy and recommend the City Council approve the proposed revised policy.
Once the City Council approves the Collection Development Policy, the Commerce Library Director will send the updated policy to the California State Library. To be in compliance with the California State Library before January 1, 2026.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve staff recommendation
2. Disapprove staff recommendation
3. Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
This activity can be carried out without additional impact on the current operating budget.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This matter is applicable to the following 2016 Strategic Goal: “Community Quality of Life”.
Guiding Principle 1: Continue to support and create partnerships with educational institutions and organizations that work to improve the lives of our residents, including the local school district. Provide multi-generational development programs to ensure quality education and recreational
opportunities.
Recommended by: Sonia Bautista, Director of Library Services Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Commerce Library Collection Development
3. California Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825)